1408 (2007)

User Rating:

6.9/10   

Director:

Mikael Håfström

Writers (WGA):

Matt Greenberg (screenplay) and
Scott Alexander (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

22 June 2007 (USA)

Genre:

Horror | Thriller

Tagline:

Based on the terrifying story by Stephen King

Plot:

A man who specializes in debunking paranormal occurrences checks into the fabled room 1408 in the Dolphin Hotel. Soon after settling in, he confronts genuine terror.

Plot Keywords:

Hotel | Debunking | Writer | Author | Death

Awards:

2 wins & 4 nominations

Cast

John Cusack	...	Mike Enslin
Samuel L. Jackson	...	Gerald Olin
Mary McCormack	...	Lily
Tony Shalhoub	...	Sam Farrell
Len Cariou	...	Mike's Father
Isiah Whitlock Jr.	...	Hotel Engineer
Jasmine Jessica Anthony	...	Katie
Paul Birchard	...	Mr. Innkeeper
Margot Leicester	...	Mrs. Innkeeper
Walter Lewis	...	Book Store Cashier
Eric Meyers	...	Man #1 at Book Signing
David Nicholson	...	Man #2 at Book Signing
Holly Hayes	...	Lady at Book Signing
Alexandra Silber	...	Young Woman at Book Signing
Johann Urb	...	Surfer Dude

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for thematic material including disturbing sequences of violence and terror, frightening images and language.

Runtime:

104 min | 112 min (director's cut)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

SDDS | Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Canada:13+ (Quebec) | USA:PG-13 (certificate #43561) | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | Singapore:PG | South Korea:15 | Hong Kong:IIB | Finland:K-13 | Germany:16 | Netherlands:16 | Portugal:M/16 | Philippines:PG-13 | Taiwan:PG-12 | Malaysia:18PL | Italy:T | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | Chile:Y7 | Argentina:13 | France:Unrated (with warning) | Norway:15 | Sweden:15 | Israel:16 | New Zealand:M | Australia:M | Iceland:16

Filming Locations:

Elstree Film Studios, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire, England, UK

Company:

Dimension Films

Trivia:

In the movie John Cusack's character says to his recorder, "hotel rooms are just naturally creepy places, don't you think? I mean How many people have slept in that bed before you? How many of them were sick? How many were losing their minds?" Stephen King wrote this in his explanatory note of 1408 in his compilation book of short stories.

Goofs:

Incorrectly regarded as goofs: When Mike Enslin is on the ledge outside, the size of the ledge changes. When there is a shot of just his feet, he appears to only be able to fit half of his foot on the ledge at most, however when there are long shots which include Enslin's feet, they are fully on the ledge and are given about an inch of space. However, as the movie's main theme is based around reality and Mike's (and therefore our) perception of it, this may well be deliberate - the ledge really is wide enough for his feet but to his eyes it's far too narrow, thus heightening his fear.

Quotes:

Mike Enslin: [sobbing] No... no, you can't take her twice...

Movie Connections:

References The Amityville Horror (1979)

Soundtrack:

We've Only Just Begun

One of the better Stephen King Movies in a long time

Here's why. Stephen King's psychological horror rarely ever shows its face on the screen the way it appears in his writing. This movie captures a lot of the mental torture that Stephen King writes so well (embodied in room 1408). I typically always see Cusack as playing himself in every movie he's in. Fortunately, this role appeals to that character. I would say see it and judge for yourself. I specifically enjoyed the background music and director's choice of camera angles. I also appreciated the mix of surprise horror and psychological. All too often, a horror film loads up too much on one side and it just doesn't work out well!